Non-Delivery Scams on eBay
eBay sellers take payment for items they never ship, using fake tracking, off-platform communication, and feedback manipulation to delay dispute resolution long enough to complete multiple fraud cycles.
Part of: Non-Delivery Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Non-delivery fraud on eBay is one of the most commonly reported scam types on the platform. While eBay's Money Back Guarantee provides a route to resolution, fraudulent sellers design their operations to delay claims and maximise the number of transactions they can complete before being suspended.
Off-platform payment diversion is a key tactic: by convincing buyers to complete payment outside eBay, sellers remove the transaction from the platform's protection framework entirely.
How this scam works on eBay
A seller lists items — often in high-demand categories such as electronics, gaming, or collectibles — with competitive pricing. Buyers pay through eBay checkout, receive a tracking number, and wait. The tracking number either shows no movement or reflects delivery of a different, usually very light item to a different address.
Some sellers contact buyers via eBay's messaging system before or after payment, offering a discount or follow-up purchase off-platform, where no protection applies. After receiving the off-platform payment, the seller claims the eBay order is separate and handles any eBay claim against the legitimate purchase while retaining the off-platform fraud proceeds.
Feedback-manipulation variants involve sellers who have built high feedback scores through genuine transactions and then switch to non-delivery fraud on high-value listings before abandoning the account.
Common red flags
- Tracking number that shows no genuine dispatch activity or delivery to a different address
- Seller who messages offering to complete a follow-up purchase off eBay
- High feedback score but a sudden cluster of negative feedback from recent buyers
- Item listed significantly below market value in a high-demand category
- Seller who is unresponsive to messages after payment
How to protect yourself
- Only complete payment through eBay's official checkout — never via bank transfer at a seller's request
- Open an eBay case immediately if goods do not arrive within the estimated delivery window
- Track delivery through the courier's official site using the tracking number, not just eBay's tracking page
- Pay by credit card to maintain chargeback rights if eBay's process does not resolve the issue
- Report non-delivering sellers via eBay's 'Report this member' function
How to report it
- Open a case in eBay's Resolution Centre via your order history
- Use 'Report this member' on the seller's profile page
- File a chargeback request with your card issuer if eBay's resolution is unsatisfactory
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can I open an eBay case for non-delivery?
eBay allows you to open a case once the estimated delivery date has passed, typically at the earliest on the estimated delivery date. eBay then allows a further period for the seller to respond or resolve the issue before escalating to a buyer protection decision. Check your order's estimated delivery window in your order details.